Unreserved harassment

Yesterday, this paper ran a cover story on the huge confusion caused by the Right To Education (RTE) Act, which is causing schools to make parents sign forms during KG admissions stating that their children may not get admission to Std I of the same school, as 25 per cent is supposed to be reserved for economically weaker sections (EWS).

This means that 25 per cent of students studying in senior KG may have to make way for EWS students. In some schools, this happens in Std V, where a percentage of Std IV students may not get admission to Std V. While education for all is a laudable aim, it cannot be done at the expense of middle class parents already under tremendous strain over school admissions.

One can only feel for parents who have been forced to accept a system that puts so much pressure on them. Right from the trauma of getting admission — which is such a task given that demand outstrips supply — to galloping school fees, it is uphill all the way.

Counselors and psychologists will attest to the tremendous stress on young parents as admission time nears. It is adversely affecting their health as they agonise over whether their children will get admission to schools or not. Admission interviews are another cause for worry.

These existing fears are now compounded by this new problem as parents have to wait in fear and suspense, wondering if their children will get to Std I with ease.

School authorities and the government education department need to think about the ramifications of this rule on parents, who are already keeling over in anxiety and fear about their children’s future.